Biography

With 49 England amateur caps, Jim Lewis was one the most experienced British Olympic footballers in the post-war years when he played in six matches in the three Olympics 1952-60 and scored four goals. He was an amateur throughout his career despite playing in the Football League with Leyton Orient and Chelsea. He joined Walthamstow Avenue after the war and teamed up with his father, Jim senior, who spent 34 years at the club in various capacities. Jim junior appeared in their only two FA Amateur Cup wins, in 1952 and 1961, scoring in both finals. His goal in the 1961 final was the winning goal and his 50th goal of the season. Lewis was also in their Walthamstow side which caused a sensation in 1952-53 when they reached the fourth round of the FA Cup and held Manchester United to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, with Lewis scoring his side’s goal and hitting the post in the dying seconds of the game. He scored both Walthamstow’s goals in the replay which United won 5-2. His performances soon attracted a lot of attention and Ted Drake signed him for Chelsea. In six seasons with the Blues he played 90 League games and scored 38 goals, and was a member of their team that won the first division title for the first time in 1954-55 – it would be 50 years before they won their second title. He also appeared in the inaugural Inter Cities’ Fairs Cup final (later UEFA Cup and now the Europa League) when he played on the left-wing for a London XI in the second leg of the 1958 final at Barcelona which the Spaniards won 6-0. Lewis returned to Walthamstow Avenue in 1958 and had another ten seasons with the club. He retained his amateur status and continued working as a salesman.

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